‘We must change with climate change’

The chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, Hon. Israel Olusola Adekunle has said the challenges posed by climate must be tackled decisively. As the climate is changing, everyone must also change with it by responding appropriately to it.

The chairman was speaking at the Orisunbare Roundabout in the council where he planted a tree before a large crowd.

The tree planting event followed the flag-off of the campaign by the state government, signalling every local government area and council development area in the state to follow suit.

It showed that the state government led by Mr Babatunde Fashola is committed to climate challenges.

At Alimosho, the issue is taken just as seriously. The chairman has planted several trees as a symbol of the council’s good disposition to the challenge.

Adekunle told the huge gathering that people should change their attitude to the dangers posed by climate change by planting trees.

The event attracted several dignitaries, among whom were a representative of the state Commissioner for Environment-Mrs Olokodana Jumah, Vice Chairman of Alimosho council, Hon. Saminu Adetunji, Leader of the Legislative House, Hon. Jelili Sulaiman, Secretary to the council, Hon. Lukman Orelope, and Council Manager, Mrs A.K Bello.

The Onishasha of Shasha Kingdom, Oba Nasiru Babatunde was also there, as were committee members of Alimosho council, community development associations and community development committees.

Boys Scout personnel were there too. So were National Union of Road Transport Workers members, among several others.

Hon. Adekunle said at the event: “It is no news that global warming and climate change is real and the world is also changing, hence the people cannot afford but change with it and the sole requirement for this change now is for everyone to embrace new adaptive methods and strategies wherein tree planting is unarguably a major one.”

Continuing, the chairman stressed: “The Government of Lagos alongside all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas have exceeded its projection on tree planting since the exercise began on September 2008. However, it has become imperative because trees act as a protection for neighborhoods and against natural disasters.

“In addition, trees also reduce the greenhouse effect by shading houses and office buildings as they also reduce the need for airconditioning by up to 30% which in turn reduces the amount of fossil fuels burnt to produce electricity.

“I seriously implore us all to guard jealously these trees and ensure their upkeep religiously. Govt have invested so much resource into this initiative for the betterment of the generality of Lagosians and require the support of all stake holders to ensure the safety and growth of the trees. Let us desist from from dumping refuse into the drains to avoid flooding as we have been pre-warned that the rains this year will surpass last year’s.”